Lack of fertilizer hits Gunungkidul

YOGYAKARTA: Entering this year's second rice planting season two weeks ago, urea fertilizer produced by Pusri (the state-owned fertilizer company) has disappeared from market shelves in Gunungkidul regency.

Besides that, the scarcity of the product has caused prices to soar from Rp 52,500 (US$6.2) to Rp 64,000 per 50-kilogram sack.

Turdiono, 45, a fertilizer trader in Karangmojo 1 subdistrict, Gunungkidul, said the shortage had begun to be felt by farmers over the last two weeks and had coincided with the start of the second planting season, when the farmers were in need of a large supply.

He added that the demand for fertilizer in Karangmojo district and surrounding areas could reach five tons daily and could last for two to three weeks.

In anticipation of the shortage, several traders are now trying to take to Gunungkidul fertilizer produced at the Kujang (also state-owned) factory in Cikampek.

The cause of the fertilizer scarcity is still unknown. -- JP